Seven IDDM patients (14 eyes), 11 NIDDM patients (22 eyes) and 21 healthy subjects (42 eyes) were included in the study.
Scheimpflug imaging system was used to obtain optical sections of the cornea using the Pentacam (Oculus, Germany). Seven meridians were analyzed for each subject, oriented from 70º to 110º. Image analysis using external software allowed obtaining optical density values for corneal central 3mm and 5mm.

Results:

Corneal backscatter was significantly higher in diabetic patients (1.567± 0.06 o.d.u.) than in healthy subjects (1.465±0.08 o.d.u.) for the central 3mm (p>0.001), and also for the central 5mm, (diabetic 1.549±0.06 O.D. and healthy subjects 1.451±0.08 o.d.u, p>0.001). No significant differences of corneal backscatter values were found between IDDM and NIDDM patients for either central zone.